SASKATOON, Sask. - The University of Saskatchewan Huskies women's hockey team are back on track to start the new year, riding a two-goal first period to a 3-1 victory over provincial rival Regina Cougars this Friday evening at Merlis Belsher Place in Saskatoon.

The win also earns Saskatchewan points in the U-Prairie Challenge presented by SaskMilk, the annual competition between Saskatchewan and Regina's sports, crowning an ultimate champion at the end of the school year.

Tonight's game marked the first action for either team since the winter break, in which neither team has played a regular season game in over a month. The Cougars were the favourite entering the match, sitting in second place in the East division standings at the time, with an 8-4-3 record. The hometown Huskies entered the game in fourth place, with a record of 2-10-4. However, despite the record, recent trends leading into the break may have told a different story. 

After failing to record a win until the final weekend of the first semester, the Huskies have quietly put together three straight wins, outscoring opponents by a score of 7-3 during the streak. Regina, who won five of their first six games, have now dropped seven of their last 10.

Saskatchewan certainly looked like the more determined team tonight, especially in the early going. Just moments into the first period third year forward Bronwyn Boucher stole the puck and had a clean breakaway towards the net, ultimately she was denied by Cougars netminder Arden Kleiwer. However, the Huskies would use this as momentum in front of the home crowd and they continued to apply pressure and play a confident brand of hockey. Saskatchewan would open the scoring 8:29 into the opening frame.

After winning the face-off in the Cougars zone, the Huskies swung the puck around the blue line to McKenna Bolger who rifled a slapshot on net. It was fellow D-liner Shelby Williamson who showed off her offensive skills, expertly tipping the puck past Kliewer to open the scoring. It was a jubilant moment for Williamson and the Huskies, as it was her first goal of the season, and her teammates celebrated accordingly. Continuing to mount pressure throughout the period, the Huskies found themselves on the powerplay two minutes later. A recurring theme tonight for Saskatchewan was the two-way play of their back line, as this time it was Brooklyn Stevely who found some open ice in Regina's zone, maneuvering between a flurry of defenders before flipping a backhand on net. Kliewer made the initial save, however the puck ricocheted off her pad and directly on the stick of Bronwyn Boucher who buried the wrist shot, making it 2-0 Huskies. The tally marked Boucher's fifth of the season, all coming by way of the powerplay, which coincidentally also ties her for the conference lead in powerplay goals.

Saskatchewan would carry the 2-0 lead into the second period. The Cougars, however, were determined to put up a fight, out-shooting the Huskies 14-3 in the frame. Veteran goalie Colby Wilson put together a stellar performance between the pipes, coming up with a number of clutch saves. Although Regina had a healthy shot and opportunity advantage, Saskatchewan was able to extend their lead to three, late in the period when rookie blue-liner,  Avery Gottselig flipped a soft shot, a change up on net that trickled through the pads of Kliewer for her first career Canada West goal. The Cougars would bounce back, netting a powerplay goal of their own, as Megan Long scored her third of the season with just seven seconds remaining in the second period, making it 3-1 for Saskatchewan and spoiling Wilson's shutout bid.

In the end that's where the score would stay, with the Huskies earning the victory on home ice.

Next Up:

Both teams will now travel to Regina where they will meet for a rematch at the Co-operators Centre in the second half of a home and home in less than 24 hours. An additional wrinkle, the Huskies may again be without Head Coach Steve Cook, who missed tonight's game due to illness. If that is the case Assistant Robyn Ulrich has proven capable of commanding the reigns, as demonstrated by tonight's victory.

The puck drops at 7 pm Saturday night, catch all the action on CanadaWest TV or HuskieFan.ca.